About

Miranda Vieson is a Clinical Associate Professor at the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She holds a PhD in Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences with a focus on Immunology from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, earned in 2016. She completed her residency training at the same institution from 2011 to 2016 and became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathology in 2014. Her academic interests include cardiovascular pathology, neuropathology, immunology, and forensic pathology. Dr. Vieson is actively involved in veterinary pathology education and research, contributing to the advancement of veterinary diagnostic sciences.

Research topics

• Internal medicine
• Medicine
• Surgery
• Pathology
• Radiology

Selected publications

• What Is Your Diagnosis? Dermal Mass From the Left Forelimb of a Dog

  Veterinary Clinical Pathology · 2025-10-07

  articleOpen access

  An 8-year-old male neutered Dalmatian presented to a specialty referral hospital for a recheck of ammonium urate uroliths secondary to hyperuricosuria. The patient's urinary stones have been well managed with low-dose allopurinol and a urinary diet since April of 2023. At the current recheck, the owners noted a dermal mass on the left forelimb that had been recently growing. The clinician described a 1.4 × 1.4 cm dermal mass on the dorsal left carpus with no associated lameness or pain. Additional physical examination abnormalities included a small alopecic area on the dorsum of the head and a mildly bowlegged hind stance. The patient has a history of a hemangioma removed from the dermis just cranial to the prepuce in November of 2022. A fine-needle aspirate of the left forelimb mass was submitted for cytologic evaluation (Figure 1). The clinician noted that the mass was very firm, and it was difficult to retrieve material from the mass upon aspiration. On cytologic evaluation, the sample was of moderate intact cellularity and contained a minimal amount of peripheral blood. A population of mildly to moderately atypical mesenchymal cells was arranged primarily individually. They were spindloid to stellate in shape with a moderate amount of basophilic cytoplasm, round to ovoid nuclei with stippled chromatin, and one to few small but prominent nucleoli. These cells displayed mild to moderate anisocytosis and anisokaryosis, common binucleation, and rare nuclear molding. An additional population of densely grouped and variably preserved cells was identified. While many features of these cells were obscured, multiple small and prominent nucleoli were noted. Although these cells appeared to be arranged in dense clusters, they appeared spindloid at the edge of the clusters, and both epithelial and mesenchymal origins were considered. The background contained a striking amount of fibrillar collagen, a moderate amount of mature keratin, and occasional bare nuclei from ruptured cells. Cytologic findings were interpreted as atypical mesenchymal proliferation with possible epithelial proliferation. Differential diagnoses for the atypical mesenchymal cells included a neoplastic population (likely benign) and reactive fibroblasts. However, given the large amount of collagen, mature keratin, and possible epithelial groups, a sebaceous or fibroadnexal hamartoma was also offered as a differential diagnosis. Biopsy with histopathology of the left forelimb mass was elected. On histopathologic evaluation, there was a dome-shaped appearance to the epidermis due to distention of multiple follicular infundibula by clear space and widening of follicular ostia (Figure 2). The hair follicles were slightly thickened and elongated with enlarged hair bulbs and thickened shafts (Figure 3). Rarely, the follicles were surrounded by a few concentric layers of fibrosis. The microscopic diagnosis was follicular hamartoma. Follicular hamartomas (FH), also known as follicular nevi, are non-neoplastic [1] and have been referred to as “cosmetic blemishes”[2]. FHs have no known etiology, and breed, sex, or site predilection has not been described [1]. They are very uncommon in animals [1, 2]; in a study documenting 81 cases of nevi and cutaneous hamartomas in dogs, only two dogs were diagnosed with FHs, while the others had more common lesions such as fibroadnexal hamartomas [3]. If left untreated, FHs may predispose the animal to secondary infections and can become regionally extensive; therefore, surgical excision [1-3] may be elected. The gold standard for diagnosis is surgical biopsy with histopathology [1]. Grossly, these lesions are typically thick, irregular, plaque-like nodules that can be several centimeters in diameter [1, 2]. Over time, these nodules can increase and expand in size. The thickened skin has been compared to having the appearance of an orange peel [1] or even tiny pebbles [2]. Furthermore, the lesions feel firm and have the texture of a brush due to the accumulation of many follicles [1, 2]. Histologically, FHs are composed of clusters of anagen hair follicles that, while normal in architecture, are larger and more extensive than usual. These follicles usually resemble primary hair follicles [1, 2] that all look similar in appearance [1] with thickened hair shafts emerging from dilated follicular infundibula [2, 3]. Excess keratin is often seen throughout [2], and the larger follicles are frequently associated with larger and more numerous sebaceous glands [1, 3]. Extensive fibroplasia [1, 3] and collagen accumulation have also been reported [1-3]. Cytologic findings of hamartomatous lesions have been described [4], but published cytology images from an FH were not available to the authors' knowledge. While FHs are primarily diagnosed through histopathology [1], certain cytologic features can lead to a differential diagnosis of FH. Cytologic evaluation of this lesion showed large amounts of collagen and keratin, both of which are commonly seen on histopathologic evaluation of FHs. Fibroplasia is also a common histopathologic finding in FHs. The mesenchymal cells in this case displayed mild atypia and were primarily individualized. Initially, these cells raised concern for a possible neoplastic population; however, these cells most likely represented reactive fibroblasts given the histopathologic diagnosis of FH. Atypical mesenchymal cells are frequently seen cytologically in cases of both fibroplasia and mesenchymal neoplasms, which creates a common diagnostic dilemma. Features more suggestive of fibroplasia, rather than mesenchymal neoplasia, include individualized cells, a low degree of atypia, and the presence of inflammation, while features more suggestive of mesenchymal neoplasia include large aggregates of cells, multinucleation, and anisokaryosis [5]. While the characteristic features described are not specific to FHs, recognizing this combination of cytologic features in conjunction with the clinical characteristics of the lesion allows for a quicker and less invasive method of reaching a differential diagnosis of FH. This is important as these lesions carry a great prognosis following complete excision, particularly when compared to mesenchymal neoplasms which often have similar cytologic features. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Surgical debulking and stereotactic radiotherapy of a mandibular osteoma in a ferret (Mustela putorius furo)

  Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine · 2025-12-29

  articleOpen access

  In ferrets, osteomas are rare, benign bone-originating tumors that can lead to detrimental clinical signs which negatively impact their quality of life. To date, current reported successful treatments include complete surgical excision for curative intent. Surgical debulking and subsequent radiotherapy was a novel approach to treatment employed in this case. A 10-month-old, neutered male, sable ferret ( Mustela putorius furo ) presented with a firm, immobile, subcutaneous mass (15.6 mm x 14.0 mm x 16.0 mm; rostrocaudal x mediolateral x dorsoventral) originating from the lateral margin of the angle of the left mandible based on computed tomographic (CT) scan. Surgical debulking was performed and the mass was confirmed to be an osteoma on histopathology. To follow, stereotactic radiotherapy was prescribed to treat the residual mandibular mass effect with 8 Gy delivered each day for 3 sequential days (total dose of 24 Gy). There were no apparent early or late adverse effects of radiation and no regrowth was appreciated clinically or on CT scans 141 days post-surgery (106 days post-radiotherapy) and 403 days post-surgery (368 days post-radiotherapy). The ferret died approximately 2 years post-operation due to unknown cause without obvious regrowth of the mandibular mass at the time of death. In this ferret, the combination of surgical debulking and stereotactic radiotherapy resulted in a clinical cure of a mandibular osteoma for at least 2 years. Additional studies with a larger sample size may further elucidate early and late radiation side effects, surgical complications, and long-term outcome.

  PublisherDOI

• Highly pathogenic avian influenza A H5N1 virus infection in an immunocompromised domestic cat

  ASM Case Reports · 2025-09-12 · 3 citations

  articleOpen access

  Background: Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b have recently caused widespread outbreaks in mammals, including domestic cats that live closely with humans and other animals. In-depth molecular and pathological characterizations of naturally infected cats are urgently needed for developing better strategies to prevent interspecies transmission and further spreading of these viruses. Case Summary: In this case report, we characterized a unique case of HPAI H5N1 virus infection in an immunocompromised domestic cat. The pet animal was a diabetic cat with a history of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). In early 2025, the cat developed acute fever and rapidly worsening respiratory distress and liver dysfunction despite antibiotic treatment. Due to severe clinical deterioration, the cat was euthanized. Postmortem examination revealed severe bronchointerstitial pneumonia, hepatic and lymphoid necrosis, bone marrow degeneration, and mild lymphohistiocytic meningitis. H5N1 viral RNA/antigens were specifically detected in the lung, brain, urine, or lymphoid tissues. Whole-genome sequencing and phylogeny analysis identified that the virus belongs to influenza clade 2.3.4.4b (B3.13 subgroup), closely related to HPAI H5N1 strains that are currently circulating in domestic cats and cattle. The source of infection for this particular cat might be linked to a fomite/environmental transmission route. Conclusion: The lethal HPAI H5N1 virus infection in an immunocompromised cat highlights the need for developing an improved prevention plan for pet animals. Clinicians should consider the possibility of H5N1 virus infection in cats with similar acute respiratory or neurologic signs, particularly in animals with chronic illness.

  PublisherDOI

• E3 ubiquitin ligase CBLB regulates innate immune responses and bacterial dissemination during nontuberculous mycobacteria infection

  Journal of Leukocyte Biology · 2024-01-25

  articleOpen access

  Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are emerging opportunistic pathogens causing pulmonary infection to fatal disseminated disease. NTM infections are steadily increasing in children and adults, and immune-compromised individuals are at a greater risk of fatal infections. The NTM disease's adverse pathology and resistance to antibiotics have further worsened the therapeutic measures. Innate immune regulators are potential targets for therapeutics to NTM, especially in a T cell-suppressed population, and many ubiquitin ligases modulate pathogenesis and innate immunity during infections, including mycobacterial infections. Here, we investigated the role of an E3 ubiquitin ligase, Casitas B-lineage lymphoma proto-oncogene B (CBLB), in immunocompromised mouse models of NTM infection. We found that CBLB is essential to prevent bacterial growth and dissemination. Cblb deficiency debilitated natural killer cells, inflammatory monocytes, and macrophages in vivo. However, Cblb deficiency in macrophages did not wane its ability to inhibit bacterial growth or production of reactive oxygen species or interferon γ production by natural killer cells in vitro. CBLB restricted NTM growth and dissemination by promoting early granuloma formation in vivo. Our study shows that CBLB bolsters innate immune responses and helps prevent the dissemination of NTM during compromised T cell immunity.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Subdural fluid accumulation with two meningiomas in a cat

  Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound · 2024-10-16

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  A case of two separate meningiomas with concurrent subdural fluid accumulation is presented. A 13-year-old, male neutered domestic shorthair cat presented with behavior change and progressive neurologic signs localizing to the forebrain. Two extra-axial masses were seen along with a large subdural fluid collection on advanced imaging of the brain. Histology of the lesions was consistent with multiple meningiomas, while analysis of the subdural fluid was consistent with cerebrospinal fluid. A case of multiple feline meningiomas with peritumoral subdural fluid accumulation has not previously been reported.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Refractory testicular germ cell tumors are highly sensitive to the targeting of polycomb pathway demethylases KDM6A and KDM6B

  Research Square · 2024-10-18

  preprintOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Refractory testicular germ cell tumors are highly sensitive to the targeting of polycomb pathway demethylases KDM6A and KDM6B

  Cell Communication and Signaling · 2024-10-31 · 10 citations

  articleOpen access

  Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) can be treated with cisplatin-based therapy. However, a clinically significant number of cisplatin-resistant patients die from progressive disease as no effective alternatives exist. Curative cisplatin therapy results in acute and life-long toxicities in the young TGCT patient population providing a rationale to decrease cisplatin exposure. In contrast to genetic alterations, recent evidence suggests that epigenetics is a major driving factor for TGCT formation, progression, and response to chemotherapy. Hence, targeting epigenetic pathways with "epidrugs" is one potential relatively unexplored strategy to advance TGCT treatment beyond cisplatin. In this report, we demonstrate for the first time that targeting polycomb demethylases KDM6A and KDM6B with epidrug GSK-J4 can treat both cisplatin-sensitive and -resistant TGCTs. While GSK-J4 had minimal effects alone on TGCT tumor growth in vivo, it dramatically sensitized cisplatin-sensitive and -resistant TGCTs to cisplatin. We validated KDM6A/KDM6B as the target of GSK-J4 since KDM6A/KDM6B genetic depletion had a similar effect to GSK-J4 on cisplatin-mediated anti-tumor activity and transcriptome alterations. Pharmacologic and genetic targeting of KDM6A/KDM6B potentiated or primed the p53-dominant transcriptional response to cisplatin, with also evidence for basal activation of p53. Further, several chromatin modifier genes, including BRD4, lysine demethylases, chromodomain helicase DNA binding proteins, and lysine methyltransferases, were repressed with cisplatin only in KDM6A/KDM6B-targeted cells, implying that KDM6A/KDM6B inhibition sets the stage for extensive chromatin remodeling of TGCT cells upon cisplatin treatment. Our findings demonstrate that targeting polycomb demethylases is a new potent pharmacologic strategy for treating cisplatin resistant TGCTs that warrants clinical development.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• OR14-06-23 Mealworms As Alternative Protein Reduced Weight Gain, Improved Blood Lipid Profiles, and Altered Adipose and Hepatic Gene Expression of Diet-Induced Obesity Mice

  Current Developments in Nutrition · 2023-07-01

  articleOpen access
  PublisherDOI

• Novel genetic variant associated with globoid cell leukodystrophy in a family of mixed breed dogs

  Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine · 2023-08-19 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Background Globoid cell leukodystrophy (GCL) is a fatal autosomal recessive disease caused by variants in the galactosylceramidase (GALC) gene. Two dog breed-specific variants are reported. Objectives Characterize the putatively causative GALC variant for GCL in a family of dogs and determine population allele frequency. Animals Four related mixed-breed puppies with signs of neurologic disease were evaluated. Subsequently, 33 related dogs were tested for genetic markers for parentage and the identified GALC variant. Additional GALC genotyping was performed on 278 banked samples from various breeds. Methods The 4 affected puppies had neurological exams and necropsies. DNA was isolated from blood samples. Variants in GALC were identified via Sanger sequencing. Parentage testing was performed using short tandem repeat markers. Prevalence of the GALC variant of interest was investigated in other breeds. Results GCL was confirmed histopathologically. A novel missense variant in GALC (NC_006590.4:g.58893972G>A) was homozygous in all affected animals (n = 4). A recessive mode of inheritance was confirmed by parentage testing as was variant linkage with the phenotype (LOD = 3.36). Among the related dogs (n = 33), 3 dogs were homozygous and 7 heterozygous. The variant allele was not detected in screening 278 dogs from 5 breeds. The novel variant is either unique to this family or has an extremely low allele frequency in the general population. Conclusions and Clinical Importance A novel GALC variant was identified that likely explains GCL in this cohort. The identification of multiple causal variants for GCL in dogs is consistent with findings in humans.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Case report: Clinical and pathological findings in a canine patient with intervertebral disk extrusion resembling progressive myelomalacia

  Frontiers in Veterinary Science · 2023-03-16

  articleOpen access

  A 4-year-old female spayed dog presented to the emergency department for non-ambulatory tetraparesis, which progressed to tetraplegia. Computed tomography (CT) confirmed cervical intervertebral disk extrusion at C5-6 extending to C6-7, and an emergency ventral slot was performed. After the procedure, the patient was placed on mechanical ventilation due to respiratory failure. Repeat assessment upon weaning her ventilatory support suggested the patient's neurological status had declined. Based on her deterioration and suspicion of progressive myelomalacia on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), she was euthanized. Post-mortem histopathology of the spinal cord supported the presence of progressive myelomalacia. To the author's knowledge, this is the first case report describing a progressive myelomalacia in a canine patient with cervical intervertebral disk extrusion.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Christopher M. Reilly

  29 shared

• Xin Luo

  23 shared

• Xiaofeng Liao

  Hubei University of Arts and Science

  9 shared

• R. Lampe

  9 shared

• Som G. Nanjappa

  9 shared

• Srinivasu Mudalagiriyappa

  University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

  9 shared

• Michael Edwards

  Virginia–Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine

  8 shared

• Kim A. Selting

  8 shared

Labs

• Veterinary Diagnostic LaboratoryPI

Awards & honors

• Stamps Family Charitable Foundation Scholar
• American Association of Immunologists Trainee Poster Travel…
• C.L. Davis Foundation Student Scholarship Award in Veterinar…
• Ohio State University Excellence in Pathology Award
• Salsbury Scholarship